Sleep disorders
The diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatry (DSM IV) distinguishes the following four major sections of sleep disorders based on their etiology.
- Primary Sleep Disorders
- Sleep Disorders Related to Another Mental Disorder
- Sleep disorder due to a General Medical Condition
- Substance-Induced Sleep Disorder
I would like to concentrate on the first category as the last three are fairly self-explanatory.
Primary Sleep Disorders
Primary Insomnia
The main features of Primary Insomnia as defines by DMS IV are difficulty initiating or maintaining or seep that is not restorative. It has been a problem for at least a month. It has been affecting the person’s daily functionality significantly.
Primary Hypersomnia
According DMS IV, Primary Hypersomnia is mainly characterised by excessive sleepiness for at least a month and has been affecting the person’s daily functionality significantly.
Narcolepsy
As defined by DMS IV, Narcolepsy’s main features are repeated uncontrollable attacks of refreshing sleep, cataplexy and recurrent intrusions of elements of rapid eye movement (REM) in between the periods of sleep and wakefulness. The sleep attacks must occur daily over a period of three months.
Breathing – Related Sleeping Disorder
DSM IV defines the main characteristic of this disorder as sleep disruption that leads to excessive sleepiness, or less commonly, to insomnia and is due to abnormalities of ventilation during sleep that are not accounted for by a medical condition.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
The main feature of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder as identified by DSM IV is a persistent or recurrent pattern of sleep disruption that is due to altered function of circadian timing system or due to a discrepancy between the individual’s natural sleep-awake system and external demands. The subtypes include:
The above information is a very condensed synopsis on Sleeping Disorders. If you need to read more, please refer to other links. Please take my advice and refrain from self-diagnosis. Diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses is a very complex process and requires the appropriate expertise! If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from this illness, please consult your Doctor who could advise you accordingly and suggest the appropriate course of action.
